Haviland resident Ronald Bendele Jr., joined Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club after his safety belt saved him from sustaining life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on U.S. Route 127 in Paulding County on August 4.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Jonathan A. Gray, Van Wert Post commander, presented him with a “Saved by the Belt” certificate signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Thomas J. Stickrath and Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent.
“Ronald is a living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts,” Lieutenant Gray said. “Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time.”
Provisional data from 2019 shows 457 people in Ohio were killed in traffic crashes where a safety belt was available, but not in use.
The “Saved by the Belt” Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and more than 400 Ohio law enforcement agencies. This club is designed to recognize people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts.
Ronald also received a “Saved by the Belt” license plate bracket.
